Thesis (M.Tech.:Chiropractic)-Dept. of Chiropractic, Durban Institute of Technology, 2005 xi, 123 leaves ; 30 cm / The differential diagnosis of back and leg pain should include sacroiliac joint disease as the prevalence of sacroiliac joint pain appears to range from 13%-30%, thus making the sacroiliac joint a significant source of pain in patients with chronic low back pain. Sacroiliac syndrome is well-defined and usually presents with pain over the sacroiliac joint in the region of the posterior superior iliac spine, with possible referral to the buttock, groin, and leg. Most patients with sacroiliac syndrome seem to present with spastic or hyperactive muscles which leads to increased pain and decreased range of motion. Because of the close proximity of the Piriformis muscle to the sacroiliac joint, it is likely to be one of these hyperactive muscles. Various studies on low back pain, including a study on sacroiliac syndrome, have shown a correlation between low back pain, hip rotation range of motion asymmetry, and decreased hip mobility. In addition, the muscles responsible for movements of the hip have an overlapping innervation with the hip joint (L2 to S1) and sacroiliac joint (L2 to S3). It is assumed that the hypertonic muscles associated with sacroiliac syndrome decrease hip joint proprioception as the proprioceptors are facilitated erratically in a highly facilitated neuronal pool common to the innervation levels of the sacroiliac joint and the hip and associated with the level of the involved hypertonic muscle. This is thought to result in aberrant proprioceptive function at the identified levels, affecting the hip. Thus the aim of this study was to investigate the effect which sacroiliac joint manipulation had on hip functional ability in patients suffering from sacroiliac syndrome by means of various measurement tools: . Active hip joint ranges of motion were assessed using an Inclinometer, . Pressure threshold of the Piriformis muscle was measured by using an Algometer, and . Hip joint proprioception was assessed by measuring joint position sense of the hip joint using an Inclinometer.

In this paper I examine the contemporary debate over Derk Pereboom’s Manipulation Argument for the incompatibility of free will and determinism. After considering the argument in its entirety, I entertain a Hard-Line compatibilist reply given by Michael McKenna, based on an improved reworking of Pereboom’s cases. In evaluating McKenna’s reply I begin with several objections raised by Ishiyaque Haji and Stephan Cuypers before arguing that the reworking of cases is unsuccessful due to a lack of freedom-undermining manipulation. I redefine the conditions for what satisfies as freedom-undermining manipulation based on a revised understanding of the process whereby agents come to evaluate their desires independently. In conclusion, I maintain that Pereboom’s argument succeeds only insofar as it satisfies an evaluative account of manipulation. However, upon doing so, Pereboom’s strategy of accounting for all desired CAS conditions fails, given that authentic evaluation cannot be manipulatively accounted for. As a result, the Manipulation Argument fails to prove the incompatibility of free will and determinism.

This thesis explores the patterns of electoral manipulation in Ghana. Inspired by Andreas Schedler's essay, The Menu of Manipulation, in which he provides a "list of electoral sins" (Schedler 2002, 45), the thesis asks the following research question: how do African politicians choose from the menu of manipulation? To answer this question, the thesis develops a theory about the costs and benefits of electoral manipulation. The theory is based on three arguments: first, that in addition to the direct benefits of electoral manipulation, meaning the increased chance of winning, there are important indirect benefits that drive some politicians to rig, even when victory is guaranteed or entirely beyond reach; second, that electoral manipulation is expensive and that the direct costs, meaning what politicians spend, discourage them as much as the indirect costs, i.e. the risk of getting caught; and, third, that different types of electoral manipulation have different cost-benefit profiles, allowing politicians to tailor their rigging strategies. The thesis tests this theory against original data from Ghana. First, drawing on a dataset, containing information about every, regular, constituency-level parliamentary election over the 2008 and 2012 electoral cycles, it shows that different types of electoral manipulation have different patterns, caused by their different cost-benefit profiles; that not all types are driven by electoral uncertainty; and that there are trade-offs between the direct and indirect costs of rigging. Second, drawing on participant observations from two parliamentary constituencies in eastern Ghana, the thesis shows that consider both their electoral prospects and clientelistic networks, when they choose between different types of electoral manipulation, and that they revert to riskier types only as a last resort: when there are no other options available on the menu of manipulation. The thesis contributes to the academic literature in two ways. First, it adds to the growing body of work pointing to the direct costs and the indirect benefits of electoral manipulation. Second, it proposes a framework for approximating the properties of different types of electoral manipulation and making predictions about their patterns.

This thesis investigates human behaviour when controlling Six Degree of Freedom (DoF) Interfaces. A substantial literature review forms the basis for the design of an experimental framework. An assertion is made which states that effective control interfaces will support a broad range of activity in a virtual environment. A review of motor control facilitates the design of a set of appropriate tasks and measures A series of seven experiments are presented. The series of experiments are [sic] partitioned into three studies: Object Rotation in 3DoF (three experiments); Object Manipulation in 6DoF (three experiments); Egomotion in a 3D environment (one experiment). A new rotation controller which maps 2D mouse input to 3DoF rotation is designed and implemented. It is then compared against an "integrated" 6DoF controller. The purpose of these studies is to establish an experimental paradigm that will enable designers to examine operator strategies with input devices and interfaces. From the experiments described in the studies a number of conclusions are made: (1) operator strategies cannot be identified by single measures—rather a variety of measures help disambiguate singular performance scores; (2) control strategies can be employed due to the characteristics of one interface component but can leak into behaviour with other interface components which are related in terms of the task; (3) a variety of tasks must be employed to develop a rich picture of operator behaviour with a particular interface; (4) certain characteristics of an interface can mask other performance issues when comparing interfaces; (5) travel can be analysed with a traditional tracking task; (6) the control structure of the interface must match the control structure of the task domain—if this is exceeded then in some cases performance can actually be degraded.

Motivado pelo fato de que a escolha correta da forma preênsil para mãos robóticas antropomórficas representa aspectos relevantes no planejamento de estratégias de manipulação de objetos, este trabalho: desenvolve um algoritmo de pegas de objetos compatíveis com a tarefa a ser realizada e um método computacional de ajuste de superelipsóides a superfícies de objetos sintéticos 3D para modelar as primitivas resultantes do estágio de segmentação manual do objeto. Essa representação volumétrica contempla as atrativas propriedades de um modelo compacto, controlável e intuitivo, capaz de modelar uma ampla variedade de geometrias simétricas básicas a partir de 11 parâmetros. Tendo em vista que a acomodação de superelipsóides a nuvens de pontos caracteriza desafios típicos de mínimos quadrados, um breve estudo sobre o método numérico de Levenberg-Marquardt, utilizado na minimização da função objetivo adotada, se mostrou necessário para maximizar a sua eficiência. O desempenho e a eficiência do programa computacional desenvolvido foram demonstrados na modelagem experimental de cinco primitivas organizadas em diferentes configurações. As pequenas distorções, consideradas aceitáveis para a proposta do trabalho, evidenciaram a robustez da representação de formas elementares empregando superelipsóides sem deformações. Encerrada a etapa de modelagem das primitivas, um método de auto-aprendizagem supervisionada interpreta as informações de forma e tamanho de tais formas básicas para sugerir a pega de uma das primitivas que compõem o objeto e a forma preênsil compatível com a tarefa desejada. / Motivated by the fact that the correct choice of prehensile form for anthropomorphic robotic hand describes relevant aspects in planning strategies of object manipulation, this work develops an algorithm of grasping objects to match the task requirements and a computational method capable of fitting superellipsoids to surfaces of synthetic 3D objects to model the resulting primitives from the manual segmentation stage of the object. This volumetric representation describes the attractive properties of a compact, controllable and intuitive model, which is capable of modeling a wide variety of standard geometric solids by using eleven parameters. Since the superellipsoid fitting process characterizes typical least squares problems, a brief review about Levenberg-Marquardt numerical method, employed for the adopted objective function minimization, was necessary to maximize its efficiency. The performance and efficiency of the developed program were demonstrated in the experimental modeling of five symmetrical primitives shapes organized in several configurations. The small distortions, considered acceptable to the work proposal, confirm the robustness of representing elementary shapes employing superellipsoids without deformations. After finishing the primitive modeling stage, a supervised learning method interprets the size and shape information of such basic shapes to suggest the grasp of one constituent single parts and the task-compatible prehensile form.

M.Tech. (Chiropractic) / During gait the force transferred through the body is dived between the two lower limbs, according to Kaplan, Barak & Spiel (2012) this force should to be constant and equal with each gait cycle in an asymptomatic individual. In the presence of spinal dysfunction there is an alteration of sensory motor integration as a result of impaired proprioception (Taylor & Murphy, 2007), this altered proprioception may then produce a negative effect on the fore distribution during gait, resulting in abnormal biomechanics and an altered gait pattern. Chiropractic adjustments have been shown to restore normal biomechanics to the spine and in so doing improve proprioception. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of cervical and lumbar chiropractic adjustments on the force distribution through the lower limbs during gait. Method: Thirty participants between the ages of 18 and 45 were invited to participate in the study. The details of the study were fully explained to each participant, after which an informed consent form was signed, followed by a full physical examination to determine if the potential participant was eligible for inclusion in the study, and did not have any of the following exclusion criteria. Individuals suffering from any form of mechanical back pain, hip, knee and ankle pathologies, females, and individuals were manipulation was contra-indicated were excluded from the study. A full lumbar or cervical spine examination was then performed in order to test for joint dysfunction. The participants then underwent gait testing after which they then received either a cervical or lumbar spine adjustment to the dysfunctioning joint. Procedure: The participants received a total of seven chiropractic adjustments with the objective data being recorded on the first, fourth and seventh consultations. The objective data was captured with the Zebris FDM gait analysis system. The system consisted of a 3 meter long sensory platform that is built into the floor, the pressure platform was made up of multiple force sensors arranged in a matrix of columns and rows and was capable of measuring the exact force through each lower limb during gait. The recorded sensory information was transferred to the WinFDM program which then interpreted all the data.

M.Tech. (Chiropractic) / This study aims to compare sacroiliac joint adjustments versus pubic symphysis adjustments in the treatment of sacroiliac joint dysfunction with regards to pain and disability as well as alternative treatment approaches in treating sacroiliac joint dysfunction.This study was a comparative study that consisted of two groups of fifteen participants each. The participants were between the ages of eighteen and forty five with an equal male to female ratio. The potential participants were examined and accepted according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria for the study. The method of treatment that was administered was determined by group allocation. Group 1 received Chiropractic manipulative therapy delivered to the restricted sacroiliac joint and Group 2 received Chiropractic manipulative therapy delivered to the pubic symphysis.Treatment consisted of six treatment sessions with an additional follow up consultation over a three week period. Objective and subjective data was measured at the beginning of the 1st, 4th and 7th consultations. Subjective readings were taken from The Oswestry Pain and Disability Questionnaire as well as The Numerical Pain Rating Scale. Objective measurements were taken from The Orthopaedic Rating Scale. Analysis of the data collected throughout the study were performed by a statistician. The Chiropractic manipulative techniques used were based on restrictions identified during motion palpation and were applied at the first six consultations, with the seventh consultation consisting of data collection only.

M.Tech. / Purpose: This study aims to compare the effects of a manual high velocity, low amplitude spinal manipulation and a mechanical force, manually assisted spinal manipulation in the treatment of sub acute lumbar facet syndrome with regards to pain, disability, lumbar spine range of motion and pressure pain threshold. These effects were based on two questionnaires, the McGill Pain Questionnaire and the Oswestry Low Back Pain and Disability Questionnaire, lumbar spine range of motion readings using a digital inclinometer and pressure pain threshold readings taken with an algometer. Method: Thirty participants who met the inclusion criteria were randomly allocated to one of two groups. One group received a manual lumbar spine manipulation using the Diversified Technique. The second group received lumbar spine manipulative therapy with the use of the Activator Adjusting Instrument. Treatment occurred over a three week period, with participants receiving treatment six times out of a total of seven consultations. Procedure: Subjective data was collected using both the McGill Pain Questionnaire and the Oswestry Low Back Pain and Disability Questionnaire. Objective data was collected using a digital inclinometer to measure lumbar spine range of motion, and an algometer to measure pressure pain threshold. The questionnaires and all readings were recorded prior to treatment on the first, fourth and seventh visits. The data was then analysed by a statistician. Results: Clinical improvements in both groups were noted over the duration of the study with regards to pain, disability, left rotation and left and right lateral flexion. The group receiving a spinal manipulation with the Activator Adjusting Instrument also showed clinical improvement for flexion and right rotation and only the manual manipulation group improved in algometer measurements. Both groups displayed a decrease in lumbar extension readings over time. Statistical significance was observed for subjective measurements only. Conclusion: The results show that both spinal manipulative therapies are effective in the treatment of sub acute lumbar facet syndrome, however neither proved to be preferential over the other for subjective and objective measurements.

M.Tech. (Chiropractic) / Chronic lower back pain (LBP) is considered as one of the most prevalent conditions in our society with 70-85% of the population experiencing pain at some point in their lives and 80% having recurrent episodes. The majority of chronic LBP is treated with conservative care, with spinal manipulation being a treatment modality shown to be beneficial resulting in restoration of normal ranges of movement, decrease of muscle spasm and there is an overall biomechanical change. One of the more modern trends is combining manipulation with taping. It has been shown that with the application of Kinesio tape to the lumbar para-spinal muscles effectively increases lumbar range of motion and decreases pain with the relaxation of tense muscles as well as increase in proprioception as the tape increasingly stimulates cutaneous mechanoreceptors. Elastic bandage has been shown to improve proprioceptive acuity as it stimulates cutaneous mechanoreceptors, as well as providing support to joint structure. The purpose of this study was to determine the superiority of one tape versus the other as well as the efficacy of the individual tape and whether the combination treatment of spinal manipulative therapy and taping of the lumbar paraspinal muscles are possibly a more effective treatment protocol in the treatment of chronic lower back pain. Method: This clinical study was a comparative study and consisted of two groups of fifteen participants who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The participants were between the ages of eighteen and forty-five years of age. Group 1 was treated with lumbar spine and sacroiliac joint adjustments and the application of Kinesio tape􀂥. Group 2 was treated with lumbar spine and sacroiliac joint adjustments and the application of elastic bandage. Treatment took place over a period of three weeks and participants were treated six times out of a total of seven consultations. Procedure: Subjective data was recorded at the first and fourth consultation prior to treatment and on the seventh consultation by means of a Numerical Pain Rating Scale and an Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire to assess pain and disability. Objective data was recorded at the first and fourth consultation prior to treatment and on the seventh consultation by means of a digital inclinometer for assessing lumbar spine range of motion. Data recorded was analyzed by a statistician. Results: Clinically and statistically significant improvements were noted in both groups over the course of the study with regards to pain, disability and lumbar spine range of motion. Conclusion: The results show that both combination treatments of spinal manipulative therapy and the application of Kinesio™ tape or elastic adhesive bandage are effective treatment protocols, both clinical and statistical in decreasing pain, disability and improving lumbar range of motion in patients with chronic lower back pain. However neither treatment protocols proved to be superior over the other.

M.Tech.